Fans of beloved country singer Dolly Parton are up in arms after The Federalist questioned Parton's Christian faith since she's known for "condoning immoral sexual behavior" by loving LGBTQ+ people.
In an article titled “There’s Nothing Loving About Dolly Parton’s False Gospel,” writer Ericka Andersen said the singer is "right that all should be treated with love and kindness, but when we refuse to label sin a sin, we’re doing more harm than good."
Andersen noted that Parton, much like The Rock or the late Betty White, "generally steers clear of controversy" and "would never, for example, speak negatively of those who disagree with her on LBGT acceptance."
She added:
"All of that neutrality might be fine, if she didn’t consistently pivot to her faith as the reason for the “love is love” talking points/ When asked about her diverse community of fans, Parton always mentions Christianity, saying she does her best “not to judge” and only “to love” for that reason."
"But Parton’s version of love, which includes condoning immoral sexual behavior (“be who you are,” she’s said), is unaligned with God’s vision for humanity. Like so many secularized spiritual leaders, Parton equates love with agreement, but the two are not reciprocal."
"Love doesn’t mean we must accept sinfulness as good to avoid hurting someone’s feelings."
Andersen went on to say that "buzzwords — inclusion, acceptance, love — usually mean only one thing to leftists" but that Parton "is the rare character who extends that meaning to others as well — namely, conservatives." She "often defaults to humility as her reason for staying out of politics and partisanship."
But that's also, Andersen observed, Parton's “get out of jail free” card:
"Who’s going to argue with it? She’s not alone in this avoidance tactic. Christians often use the “let him who is without sin cast the first stone” Scripture verse to sidestep addressing sin directly. Parton does exactly the same thing here." ...
"To be sure, the culture is on a constant witch hunt for those who would call homosexuality sinful. I understand wanting to avoid the avalanche of criticism, but calling sin out by name isn’t judgment. It’s adhering to Scripture."
"Furthermore, it’s illogical to avoid taking a stand on something simply because of imperfection or human nature. If this were the case, we couldn’t call anything wrong."
She concluded:
"Like most people, I too love Parton. She’s fun, confident, beautiful, and still spunky at age 78. I appreciate that she refuses to condemn conservatives as so many Hollywood Democrats do, but according to Scripture, she is wrong on the issue of homosexuality."
"She’s right that all should be treated with love and kindness, but when we refuse to label sin a sin, we’re doing more harm than good."
"The gospel of Dolly Parton is popular with the masses, but don’t bank your eternity on it."
Parton's fans were quick to criticize the article for going after Parton while making excuses for bigotry.
Earlier this year, Parton reemphasized her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights amidst controversy over newly-passed legislation in Tennessee that has been criticized for allowing discrimination against transgender people.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published in January, the 11-time Grammy winner voiced her desire for everyone to be treated with kindness and empathy, stressing her belief in the importance of embracing diversity.
She said:
“I have some of everybody in my own immediate family and in my circle of employees. I’ve got transgender people. I’ve got gays. I’ve got lesbians...all within my own family."
"I know and love them all, and I do not judge. And I just see how broken-hearted they get over certain things and I know how real they are.”
Don't come for Dolly unless she sends for you.
